Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Darkfall blog post addresses reactivation weekend, upcoming patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/new-darkfall-blog-post-addresses-reactivation-weekend-upcoming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/new-darkfall-blog-post-addresses-reactivation-weekend-upcoming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/new-darkfall-blog-post-addresses-reactivation-weekend-upcoming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Darkfall
Last week, we reported that Darkfall would be hosting a reactivation weekend with increased skill-up rates and loot drops. Head-honcho Tasos Flambouras stopped by the official site today to announce that the festivities will be beginning on Friday, November 18th, and that they will last through the weekend until the 21st. He warns, however, that the team is also busy preparing a patch, which -- understandably -- takes priority over the reactivation weekend. As such, it's possible that the event will be postponed.

The patch itself includes a number of bug fixes and other adjustments, "more specifically addressing emotes cutting off animations and sounds." The team is also working to combat some of the game's exploits such as using the trading system to bypass over-encumberance. For the full details, head on over to the Darkfall official site.

MassivelyNew Darkfall blog post addresses reactivation weekend, upcoming patch originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sabugsdarkfallexploitsincreased-skill-upsincreased-skillingpatchreactivation-weekendtasostasos-flambourasFri, 11 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall announces reactivation weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/darkfall-announces-reactivation-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/darkfall-announces-reactivation-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/darkfall-announces-reactivation-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Darkfall
Are you a Darkfall fan who just never got around to giving the game a shot? Or maybe you're a former player who's been waiting for the right time to make a return. Well, the Darkfall team has an opportunity for you. In two weeks, Aventurine will be hosting a free reactivation weekend. All previous accounts will be reactivated for a weekend full of accelerated skilling and shiny loot. So mark that one down on your calendars, Darkfall fans, and go give the game another whirl.

MassivelyDarkfall announces reactivation weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerated-skillingaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallincreased-lootincreased-skillingreactivationreactivation-weekendFri, 04 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev blog talks armor system updates, roles, and PvP viability]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-armor-system-updates-roles-and-pvp-via/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-armor-system-updates-roles-and-pvp-via/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/darkfall-dev-blog-talks-armor-system-updates-roles-and-pvp-via/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The latest Darkfall dev blog update has an interesting new Q&A session dealing with the game's armor system (and ongoing attempts to balance it). Aventurine devs collected a sampling of related questions from users on the sandbox title's official forum, and Tasos Flambouras has a pretty lengthy list of answers that should be of interest to Agonian veterans and newbs alike.

Aventurine's goals for the upcoming revamp are threefold: more diversity in terms of the number of combat roles available to the player, a reduction of the time it takes to become viable in PvP, and retaining the ability for players to freely select, combine, and change roles at any time.

Flambouras also spends a bit of time explaining Aventurine's stance on Darkfall physics, particularly bunny-hopping. "It's a fun way of using physics," he says, "but we never intended for players on foot to be able to keep up with mounts." Head to the official Darkfall website to see the changes coming to Agon in the near future.

MassivelyDarkfall dev blog talks armor system updates, roles, and PvP viability originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonarmorarmor-systemaventurineaventurine-sabalancebunny-hoppingcombat-rolescommunity-questionsdarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdev-blogdev-diaryfantasypvpquestion-and-answersandboxviabilitySat, 11 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine looking for feedback on Darkfall siege revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/aventurine-looking-for-feedback-on-darkfall-siege-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/aventurine-looking-for-feedback-on-darkfall-siege-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/aventurine-looking-for-feedback-on-darkfall-siege-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Aventurine is in the process of revamping Darkfall's siege system, and the devs are in need of your assistance. A new entry at the Darkfall Epic Blog fills in the details, and perennial coolest dev name contest winner Tasos Flambouras has published a snippet of an internal design document in order to give players a better understanding of why some changes are necessary.

Flambouras lays out four key points of particular interest to Darkfall's devs, and interested players are invited to leave feedback via the blog's comment system. Topics up for discussion include minimum numbers of active clan players, win conditions, timer issues, and automatic vulnerability. Head to the official Darkfall blog to make your voice heard.

MassivelyAventurine looking for feedback on Darkfall siege revamp originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sacommunity-discussioncool-dev-namesdarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogfantasyfeedbackfeedback-solicitationpvpsandboxsiegesiege-mechanicssiegessiegingtasostasos-flambourasFri, 20 May 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall video offers GM perspectives on Agon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-darkfall-video-offers-gm-perspectives-on-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-darkfall-video-offers-gm-perspectives-on-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/new-darkfall-video-offers-gm-perspectives-on-agon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Darkfall's two-year anniversary may have come and gone, but the game continues to inspire awesome video productions celebrating its unique blend of sandbox-style mayhem. The latest such is the pet project of Aventurine developer Tascha, and the clip offers up some unique flyby perspectives on life in the world of Agon.

Tascha witnessed many an epic battle and GM event, virtual camera in hand, and the resulting montage is an unofficial love note to Darkfall and its loyal players. The clip runs a tad over four minutes and features everything from heart-pounding cavalry charges to individual PvP scraps to gargantuan player ships and scary PvE mobs. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading New Darkfall video offers GM perspectives on Agon

MassivelyNew Darkfall video offers GM perspectives on Agon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-saaventurine-taschacavalry-chargedarkfallpvepvpsandboxsiegestaschatrailervideoThu, 19 May 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall video highlights environmental sounds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-darkfall-video-highlights-environmental-sounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-darkfall-video-highlights-environmental-sounds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/new-darkfall-video-highlights-environmental-sounds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Asking a room full of MMORPG enthusiasts what the word Darkfall brings to mind isn't likely to net you many serene responses. The game and its associated tomfoolery certainly don't trigger tranquil thoughts or conjure idyllic fantasy scenes complete with beautiful deserts, atmospheric forests, and stoic mountain terrain. No, the sandbox title from Aventurine is most famous for its cutthroat FFA full-loot PvP implementation, which makes a new video designed to show off the game's stunning environmental soundscapes all the more curious.

This isn't the first time Aventurine has experimented with environmental sounds, but it is the very latest iteration of how Agon is seen and heard.

The clip runs for over five minutes and features a multitude of characters traversing many of the terrain types found in the huge game world. The trailer also highlights the upcoming tweaks that link Darkfall sounds to specific locations as well as the continuous randomization of environment sounds and 3-D emitter effects. Immerse yourself in the world of Agon after the cut, or head to the Darkfall Epic Blog to learn more.

Continue reading New Darkfall video highlights environmental sounds

MassivelyNew Darkfall video highlights environmental sounds originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-soundsaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallenvironmental-soundsfantasysandboxsoundsound-emitterssoundssoundscapetrailervideowork-in-progressFri, 13 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall patch brings major alignment tweaks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/darkfall-patch-brings-major-alignment-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/darkfall-patch-brings-major-alignment-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/darkfall-patch-brings-major-alignment-tweaks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Significant alignment tweaks are the order of the day in the latest Darkfall patch, and Aventurine has updated its website to help Agonian residents wrap their heads around the system proper.

Today's patch divides the world into lawful and lawless sections, the latter of which boast no alignment penalties upon entry. Clan cities remain under the control of their owners when it comes to alignment decisions, so even if the area surrounding your fort has shifted due to the update, city visitors will still be subject to the prevailing clan interpretations regarding alignment and consequences for aggression.

Today's patch also introduces a few smaller gameplay tweaks in addition to the alignment changes, chief among them an increase to loot drops while fishing and various changes to the fish box on player ships. The Darkfall Epic Blog has all the details.

MassivelyDarkfall patch brings major alignment tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentalignment-changesalignment-penaltyaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallfantasyfishinglorepatchpatch-notessandboxupdateWed, 11 May 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall siege revisions, dungeon reworking, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/darkfall-siege-revisions-dungeon-reworking-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/darkfall-siege-revisions-dungeon-reworking-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/darkfall-siege-revisions-dungeon-reworking-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aventurine has posted its most recent Darkfall activity report, and it covers quite a bit of ground.

The first highlight is on the studio's worldbuilder team and its recent work remaking dungeons and clan cities and testing a new lighting system which should allow you to see yourself getting ganked in a brand-new light (rimshot).

The art team, meanwhile, has completed numerous new assets including some truly towering trees, flags and banners, and ruins. On top of this, Darkfall players will have some new enemies to slay in the form of newly created monsters like the Imp. To finish this off, players will soon be able to pretty up their characters with the addition of fabulous new hairstyles.

The key piece of information offered is about the new siege system, which has been entirely revamped and is ready for testing.

For the full onslaught of information on all this and more -- including interactive map changes, blood spatter behavior (oh boy!) and racial/capital quests -- head on over to the full piece on Darkfall's official site.

MassivelyDarkfall siege revisions, dungeon reworking, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-feedbackdarkfallfeedbacksandboxsiegesiege-systemtasostasos-flambourasFri, 06 May 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine discussing major prestige class revisions for Darkfall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/aventurine-discussing-major-prestige-class-revisions-for-darkfal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/aventurine-discussing-major-prestige-class-revisions-for-darkfal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/aventurine-discussing-major-prestige-class-revisions-for-darkfal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aventurine is looking for your feedback on Darkfall, and while there's no official survey, there is a lengthy list of bullet points that the developers are debating internally -- as well as an ongoing discussion in the comments section of the Darkfall Epic Blog.

Topics include the possible implementation of lawless/lawful areas, clan vendors, capital city tower buffs (which would essentially turn Darkfall's starting areas into safe zones), and a recycling component for the game's crafting system.

Producer Tasos Flambouras also addresses some huge theoretical changes to the game in the form of the prestige class system. "We're working on an improved concept to prestige classes where players get to make 'class'-based selections which can lead to the ultimate specialization, especially combined with the right equipment. The philosophy behind this is that while the armor system limits, the new 'class' system extends a player's specialized powers to new levels. [These] are major changes to the game to say the least," Flambouras writes. Head to the Darkfall Epic Blog to make your voice heard.

MassivelyAventurine discussing major prestige class revisions for Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportagonaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-feedbackdarkfallfeedbacklawful-areaslawless-areasprestige-classprestige-classespvepvpsandboxsiege-towerstasostasos-flambourasFri, 22 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall blog details PvE tweaks, hints at big PvP changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/darkfall-blog-details-pve-tweaks-hints-at-big-pvp-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/darkfall-blog-details-pve-tweaks-hints-at-big-pvp-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/darkfall-blog-details-pve-tweaks-hints-at-big-pvp-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Exciting things are afoot in the world of Agon, and Aventurine's weekly Darkfall activity report is here to fill you in on all the grisly details. Whether you're keen on seeing one of your personal weapon designs imported into the game or curious about the ongoing PvE and AI updates, this week's entry makes for interesting reading.

To kick things off, Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras gives us the low-down on grungrocs, and these gnarly boar-like bipeds are bent on ruining every adventurer's day. There's also talk of boss fight tweaks, and Flambouras writes that there are "significant changes" coming to high-end PvE content including damage cap adjustments, fight tuning, and loot table changes.

Darkfall's PvP is getting some love as well, and new land-based objectives (similar to the game's sea fortresses) are in the works. Flambouras also hints at a new "Arena" project and "a lot more we're doing with PvP" that will be revealed at a later date. Finally, all Darkfall accounts have been gifted with 25,000 meditation points (the game's offline leveling currency) to celebrate the title's second anniversary. Check out the full presentation on the Darkfall Epic Blog.

MassivelyDarkfall blog details PvE tweaks, hints at big PvP changes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportaiaventurineaventurine-saboss-fightscontestdarkfalldarkfall-design-a-weapon-contestdarkfall-onlinedesign-a-weapon-contestepic-bloggrungrocmobsnpcpvepvpsandboxtasostasos-flambourasupdatesMon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall's development history detailed in lengthy blog post]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/darkfalls-development-history-detailed-in-lengthy-blog-post/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/darkfalls-development-history-detailed-in-lengthy-blog-post/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/darkfalls-development-history-detailed-in-lengthy-blog-post/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sandbox MMOs attract a certain type of player. They also attract a certain type of developer, and one such former Darkfall programmer has penned a lengthy retrospective piece examining the history of the fantasy title from 1997 to the present. Yes, we said 1997, as that's when Darkfall was originally conceived.

Ricki Sickenger writes about everything from the bursting of the dot com bubble (which affected Darkfall's investor relations during the Razorwax days) to a 1999 issue of Game Developer Magazine -- and a John Carmack quote -- that inspired Darkfall's devs and prompted them to use Java for the game's logic.

Sickenger's blog post is technically oriented, and non-programmers may experience a bit of glassy-eyed indifference when he goes into the details of the team's unique approach to Java and C++, but it's nonetheless a fascinating report from the front lines of one of the more successful indie MMORPGs in recent memory.

MassivelyDarkfall's development history detailed in lengthy blog post originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedev-blogdev-diarydevelopmentfantasypvepvpretrospectivericki-sickengersandboxMon, 07 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall tempts sandbox vacationers with special pricing deals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/darkfall-tempts-sandbox-vacationers-with-special-pricing-deals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/darkfall-tempts-sandbox-vacationers-with-special-pricing-deals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/darkfall-tempts-sandbox-vacationers-with-special-pricing-deals/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Are you looking to get away from it all? Does your themepark day job leave you dreaming of sunny sandbox beaches and skill-based progression at your own pace? Do you yearn for long days filled with crafting and exploration and steamy nights where gank-or-be-ganked is the commonly heard call of the wild?

We didn't think so.

But if you did have these base cravings, Aventurine's new Darkfall second anniversary promotion would likely be right up your alley. If you're a former subscriber, you've probably received an email outlining all the details. If you're an Agonian virgin, head to the Darkfall Epic Blog for more information on the special $9.95 client pricing and the $24.95 three-month subscription deals. Hurry up though, as the sandbox vacation deal of the decade ends on April 1st!

MassivelyDarkfall tempts sandbox vacationers with special pricing deals originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-month-subscriptionagonaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldealsgankget-away-from-it-allpromotionspvepvpsandboxsandbox-vacationsubscription-discountThu, 03 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Terrible twos? A look at Darkfall on its second anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/terrible-twos-a-look-at-darkfall-on-its-second-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/terrible-twos-a-look-at-darkfall-on-its-second-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/terrible-twos-a-look-at-darkfall-on-its-second-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's hard to believe that two years have passed in the lands of Agon, but passed they have, and Darkfall is celebrating its second anniversary this week. Aventurine's FFA PvP sandbox title has turned out to be one of the more resilient MMORPGs in recent memory, surviving a disastrous launch and a lingering (and undeserved) reputation as a haven for parolees, sociopaths, and griefers. It's also managed to grow its dev team, release three expansions, and carve out a respectable niche for itself in an increasingly competitive massive industry.

What's the secret to the game's success? Can Aventurine become the next CCP and ride the coattails of a non-linear MMORPG to indie greatness? Is Darkfall, purportedly the hardest of the hardcore PvP games, really a fantastic PvE sandbox in disguise? Join us after the cut for some thoughts on these topics as well as a peek at the highlights from Darkfall's first two years.

Continue reading Terrible twos? A look at Darkfall on its second anniversary

MassivelyTerrible twos? A look at Darkfall on its second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-year-anniversaryanniversaryaventurineaventurine-saconquer-the-seascorspe-lootingdarkfalldarkfall-onlineexpansionsfantasyfeaturedffaforumfallfull-loothellfreezeopinionpvepvpretrospectivesiegestwo-year-anniversaryFri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall dev diary talks new info interface, crafting skills, and meditation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/darkfall-dev-diary-talks-new-info-interface-crafting-skills-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/darkfall-dev-diary-talks-new-info-interface-crafting-skills-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/darkfall-dev-diary-talks-new-info-interface-crafting-skills-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A new Darkfall dev blog update has been sighted in the wild, and Aventurine is apparently hard at work on a number of Agonian fixes despite a case of the flu taking up residence in the company's office. Darkfall players can look forward to crafting skill gain adjustments in the next patch, and Aventurine is also aiming to get stats into the game's offline meditation system in the near future.

Darkfall's new info interface will debut in March, and Tasos Flambouras writes that it will "give you a detailed information overview having to do with a great many activities like politics, clan activities, vendor information, etc." Flambouras also mentions the ongoing work on the game's new UI, as well as upcoming lore-related events tied into the title's second anniversary (and a forthcoming website and forum revamp).

Be on the lookout for a full run-down regarding the new info interface in an upcoming dev diary, and check out all the other details at the Darkfall Epic Blog.

MassivelyDarkfall dev diary talks new info interface, crafting skills, and meditation originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity reportActivityReportaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdev-blogdev-diaryfantasyoffline-skillspatchsandboxtasostasos-flambourasupdateMon, 14 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall activity report hints at game-changing expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/22/darkfall-activity-report-hints-at-game-changing-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been pretty quiet in Darkfall land since the first of the year, and whether that's because the devs have been hunting wabbits or hard at work on the game's next patch is a question that is addressed in the latest Aventurine activity report. There's a new patch in the works, tentatively scheduled for sometime next week, and it's bringing "significant changes" to the offline leveling system that was introduced late last year. How significant? For starters, additional skills will be available for meditation and the overall gains will see a substantial increase according to Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras.

Aside from the patch, the dev team continues to forge ahead with Darkfall's next expansion, and it is shaping up to be (quite literally) a world-changer. Flambouras outlines the team's high-level approach which "involves a complete overhaul and dramatic streamlining of the world and complete redistribution of all its features," as well as a "completely level playing field for all players." Details on these sweeping statements are vague at this point, but Darkfall will clearly be undergoing some huge changes when the expansion debuts in the second quarter of 2011.

Finally, the activity report touches on long-standing issues like the grind, character progression, endgame content, and the alignment system. If that's not enough for you, there's also a hint about a drop rate increase on books, scrolls, and stat potions, leading us to conclude that big things are afoot in the world of Agon. Stay tuned.

MassivelyDarkfall activity report hints at game-changing expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-expansiondarkfall-onlineexpansionfantasymeditationoffline-levelingoverhaulpatchpvpsandboxskillstasostasos-flambourasSat, 22 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/choose-my-adventure-christmas-in-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/choose-my-adventure-christmas-in-agon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/choose-my-adventure-christmas-in-agon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Oy. Well, if I had to do it over again, I'd have scheduled this whole Choose My Adventure thing in such a way as to avoid the December holiday rush. Last week was rather hectic from an out-of-game perspective, and this week is shaping up to be even more so. That's not to say there wasn't any time for Darkfall, though, and I did manage around 20 hours of in-game activity for the week. As a testament to the title's staying power, there simply wasn't as much time as I'd have liked.

The fifth week of my Agonian ramble-on was filled with low-level PvP, a bit of questing and crafting, and more exploration than you can shake a candy cane at. Join me after the cut for a recap of the week that was.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #4

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Christmas in Agon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altsaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallchristmaschristmas-2010darkfalldarkfall-onlinefeast-of-the-dawning-frostfeaturedgalleriesholidayholiday-2010inkarnationopinionpvepvpsandboxscreenshotsswiftsnoutWed, 22 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/choose-my-adventure-time-management-and-the-afk-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/choose-my-adventure-time-management-and-the-afk-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/choose-my-adventure-time-management-and-the-afk-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure - Darkfall
Welcome back to Massively's Choose My Adventure. As I'm gearing up for the fifth week of my excursion through Darkfall and the lands of Agon, I've settled into something of a groove based on my own personal playstyle and the schedules of folks that I've met in the game. Aventurine's sandbox is a game that sucks you in in a number of different ways. It's a game that you can (and really should) play a lot, and it's not a game that I'd recommend to folks who are dabblers and game-hoppers or those who have a ton of additional demands on their free time. This isn't solely because of the skill grind, either, but also because of the large degree of freedom a player has to choose his own goals, path, and endgame.

Ultimately, Darkfall is a pretty large middle finger in the face of the popular notion that MMORPGs are casual games. In fact, Aventurine said as much several months ago, and this attitude informs just about every aspect of Agon. Though some might consider this a negative, I've thus far found it to be quite a bit of fun as well as a refreshing change from the vast majority of the disposable MMOs I've played over the past half decade.

Join me after the cut for a look at time management in Agon as well as my weekly recap.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #3

Moonlight riderSwiftsnout travelingForest at duskForest around HammerdaleGoblin camp

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Time management and the AFK game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afkafkingaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmacraftingdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgalleriesgathergatheringharvestingoffline-skillingopinionpvepvpscreenshotsskillingswiftsnouttradeskillingWed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall offline leveling goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/darkfall-offline-leveling-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/darkfall-offline-leveling-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/darkfall-offline-leveling-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's patch day in Agon, and Aventurine's servers are slowly coming back to life after some prolonged downtime earlier this morning. What has the new update wrought? The biggest change is the much-discussed offline leveling system. The Darkfall Epic Blog has the details, which basically amount to spending in-game gold to purchase meditation points. These points can then be distributed amongst skills that you've already purchased, and the journal interface displays how many meditation points are required to level the skills to 100. You can also view the time it will take to train if you start meditating.

Aside from offline meditation, the patch notes indicate a few subtle tweaks such as ammo stacking, friend-specific system messages, and the addition of a dice rolling mechanic to the game's chat system.

MassivelyDarkfall offline leveling goes live originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinein-game-diceoffline-advancementoffline-levelingoffline-meditationpatchpatch-notespvepvpsandboxFri, 10 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you have enough bag space?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-enough-bag-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-enough-bag-space/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-have-enough-bag-space/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I used to laugh at the fact that I could carry 50 or 60 items in the hip pocket of my Star Wars Galaxies avatar. These weren't comlinks or stolen Death Star plans either, but rather big, bulky armor sets and crates of crafted consumables. It seemed rather immersion-breaking at the time, and despite the enormous convenience afforded by SOE's inventory system, well, it simply bugged me.

Fast forward a few years to the juggling act that I go through every time I want to quest or craft in Age of Conan, and I'm left to wonder what has changed more, the games or my tastes. Bag space is at a premium in Funcom's Hyboria; I'm forever throwing away stuff, making trips to my bank (which is also stupidly small), or otherwise finding work-arounds for the fact that I'm equal parts pack rat and collector.

Most other MMORPGs are similarly stingy with their item space and in fact, it's only been in my recent excursions into Darkfall that I've found an inventory system that I absolutely adore. What about you, Massively readers? Is bag space at a premium in your game(s) of choice? How would you do MMO inventory mechanics differently if you could?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you have enough bag space? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocaventurineaventurine-sabag-spacebagsdarkfalldarkfall-onlinedesignfuncomgame-discussiongamer-discussioninventoryinventory-managementmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsneed-more-spaceopinionsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgtdgthe-daily-grindFri, 10 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/choose-my-adventure-singing-the-skill-grind-blues/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Well, here we are folks, smack dab in the middle of our Darkfall run for Choose My Adventure. With three weeks down and three weeks to go, I have to be honest: I feel pressed for time. There's so much to see and do in this game that six weeks simply isn't enough to really do it justice (to say nothing of the fact that it's not nearly enough time to build a competitive character in terms of the skill grind).

In any event, I'll do what I can to give you an accurate read on the game, and as my first couple of columns have admittedly erred on the side of fresh-faced enjoyment, today's entry will touch on a few of the game's less than savory aspects. In addition to that, I'll recap a few of my gameplay highlights from the past week.

Join me after the cut for a look at my Darkfall present and future as well as a video diary of my adventures thus far.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Singing the skill grind blues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfalldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedgraphicsgrindhammerdalelord-zannulNEWopinionpolishpvepvpshadowsskill-gainskillingswiftsnoutvideovisualszealotWed, 08 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall offline skilling coming this week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/darkfall-offline-skilling-coming-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/darkfall-offline-skilling-coming-this-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/darkfall-offline-skilling-coming-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ready for offline skilling in Darkfall? Ready or not, it's on the way with this week's patch, according to Aventurine's latest activity report. In addition to the hotly debated advancement mechanic, the devs are also tweaking the sea fortress schedule and updating auto-stacking on equipped items.

The activity report, written by Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras, also makes mention of several important pieces of player feedback that the devs are working to address. Balance issues brought on by bunnyhoppers, one-man clans declaring war, and additional types of craftable ships are all on the internal discussion table. Flambouras also uses the activity report to clue us in to the importance of player feedback. "We're not talking about long-term hopes when we say we're looking into something or working on an issue. If we talk about it, there are developers assigned to it and community liaisons following up on progress," he writes.

MassivelyDarkfall offline skilling coming this week originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity-reportauto-stackingaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-suggestionsdarkfalldarkfall-epic-blogdarkfall-onlineepic-blogfantasymeditationoffline-meditationoffline-skillingpvepvpsea-fortresssea-fortress-scheduletasostasos-flambourasSun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Special treatment, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the gank]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/choose-my-adventure-special-treatment-or-how-i-learned-to-stop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/choose-my-adventure-special-treatment-or-how-i-learned-to-stop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/choose-my-adventure-special-treatment-or-how-i-learned-to-stop/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Well, so much for the theory that the Darkfall community has banded together to ensure I only see the good side of the game. This past week was an interesting one, and despite an encounter that most players would probably consider griefing -- as well as various and sundry inconvenient ganks -- I remain enamored of Agon.

Aside from recurring instances of the Darkfall version of "special treatment," much of the week was spent leveling greatswords on my public main and crafting/harvesting on my private alt. In between there was a NEW-sponsored PvP event, a kracken run, and various dungeon excursions, not to mention more exploring than I've done in my last three MMOs combined. Finally, I'm also beginning to see the grind that a lot of current and former subscribers complain about.

Join me after the cut to see how I dealt with it as well as a recap of week two.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #2

Chasing a gold farmerCopperdaleCross countryFighting a forest gollumGollum hunt

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Special treatment, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the gank

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Special treatment, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the gank originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaletheides-lightcrownalmost-famousaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmadarkfalldarkfall-onlineerock-darkhollowfantasyfeaturedgallerygreen-chiligrindingmahirimNEWopinionprincess-synapvepvpscreenshotsskillsswiftsnoutzealotWed, 01 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall devs planning crafting, alignment revamps and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/darkfall-devs-planning-crafting-alignment-revamps-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/darkfall-devs-planning-crafting-alignment-revamps-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/28/darkfall-devs-planning-crafting-alignment-revamps-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Curious as to whether Aventurine listens to user feedback relating to its Darkfall MMORPG (and if so, what it does with said feedback)? We were too, and as such we found the most recent activity report to be an interesting read. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras gives us a bit of insight into the creative process, outlining a developer meeting that saw a good bit of discussion regarding GUI suggestions, alignment considerations, and newbie experience feedback. "This is a topic of great importance for us and we might call it the newbie experience but changes in this should improve the general player experience as well," he writes.

Regarding alignment, Flambouras states that "we agree [with the playerbase] that as far as alignment goes, going red is too forgiving when it needs to be more of an active decision with implications for the player." He also touches on a potential auction house implementation, a significant crafting revamp, and quest and questing system enhancements. While none of these items is divulged in detail, the report is an interesting look at considerations currently on the table for Agon's near future.

MassivelyDarkfall devs planning crafting, alignment revamps and more originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-feedbackcrafting-revampdarkfalldarkfall-onlinefantasyfeedbackpvepvpquest-revampsquestssandboxSun, 28 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: The Wayback Machine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/choose-my-adventure-the-wayback-machine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/choose-my-adventure-the-wayback-machine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/choose-my-adventure-the-wayback-machine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Darkfall rough riders
Whew.

Well, my first week in Darkfall has come to a close and, at the risk of fanboying it up, holy cow was that fun! It's hard to believe this is the same game that I was unable to purchase on launch day (and unable to play for more than a few weeks at a time over the course of 2009 due to a lack of interested friends). Darkfall isn't so much a game as it is a lifestyle -- and as far as MMOs go, it's a really nifty time machine.

In six days and a little under 30 hours of play time, I've managed to move across the map from my racial homeland to my clan city and to assist in taking down two Gardorocs, a Dark Dragon, more deadly wraiths than I can count, and a couple of giant stone dudes whose name escapes me at the moment. I've also gotten a good start on skilling up my spell-casting, archery, and greatsword abilities, and I even did a bit of crafting and gathering. In true Darkfall tradition, the first mount I made was promptly shot out from under me by a gaggle of the game's frightening mobs. And in case you're wondering, yes, I also got ganked. Though it's only happened once (so far), it was a doozy.

Join me after the cut for a rundown of the week's mayhem and an earnest attempt at maintaining my objectivity.

Gallery: Choose My Adventure - Darkfall Gallery #1

The floating villageBridge to the floating villageSunsetThrough the forestRed Moon sewer entrance

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: The Wayback Machine

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: The Wayback Machine originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sabuadthan-ludhurstchoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedungeonsfantasyfeaturedgreen-chilimahirimNEWopinionpvepvpswiftsnoutuiwitch-killerWed, 24 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall PvP tips contest results published]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/darkfall-pvp-tips-contest-results-published/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/darkfall-pvp-tips-contest-results-published/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/darkfall-pvp-tips-contest-results-published/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've been giving Darkfall a lot of coverage lately, and deservedly so. The sandbox title from Aventurine is branching out beyond its boy's-club beginnings and becoming one of the more complete titles on the current market. The game isn't abandoning its PvP roots, however, and the world of Agon is experiencing an influx of new blood (or fresh meat, if you prefer) that could stand to be schooled in the ways of player vs. player.

To that end, Aventurine recently held a contest in which veteran gamers were asked to come up with their best PvP tips. A panel comprised of experienced PvPers and newer players mulled over the entries and selected five winners, each of whom will receive a unique forum title and rare in-game items for their trouble. Check out the winning tips for yourself on the Darkfall Epic Blog, and have a look at all of the entries (over 100 of them) via the contest announcement post.

MassivelyDarkfall PvP tips contest results published originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras returns with another activity report on the Darkfall Epic Blog, and the focus is fairly broad. He touches on the dynamic quests and lore-driven events we mentioned last week, as well as upcoming world optimizations that include aggressive wildlife based on location and time of day, new monster families and epic mob encounters, and improvements to both player character models and monster animations.

Those of you who haven't been able to get past Darkfall's unique user interface will also have reason to give the game a second look in the near future, as Flambouras states that Aventurine has decided on a new GUI framework and tools. "These should yield a vastly improved user interface. The next phase for the GUI is the architecture and adapting the current GUI functionality to the new framework," he says.

Other notable items include the mention of a completely new environmental sound system as well as an in-game political map which will feature clan associations, vendor and bank locations, and various other resources. Check out all the details on the official Darkfall blog.

MassivelyDarkfall dev diary talks new UI, quest content, and more originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Think Darkfall is all about crushing your enemies, driving them before you, and hearing the lamentation of their women? Well you're partially right, but Aventurine is also taking pains to highlight the game's inherent sandboxiness. While you can spend your entire Darkfall career ganking and being ganked, the game does offer a fair bit of PvE fun, moreso now after the release of the Hellfreeze expansion.

In the latest Aventurine devblog, community liasion Laenih outlines plans to bring the game's lore to the forefront. Dynamic quests and events are hinted at, and it seems that knowledge of Agon's lore may help players solve tasks in the near future. At the very least, the updates will add a bit of context and flavor to the proceedings. Laenih uses a member of the Vargashi race as an example, and if you're wondering who or what the Vargashi are, the devblog also features conceptual artwork highlighting the new NPCs.

Check it out on the official site, and also have a look at Darkfall's lore entries while you're at it.

MassivelyDarkfall dev blog hints at dynamic quests and events originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aaaaaaooooooooooooo... er, sorry.

I was just getting into character a bit early, I suppose. Welcome back, loyal readers and Aventurine subscribers alike, to Choose My Adventure. With the past couple weeks' worth of voting formalities behind us, it's time for the main event. As we speak, I'm rolling up a brand-spanking-new Darkfall character, the better to suffer at the hands of my new PK overlords -- and hopefully get a good look at the world of Agon prior to writing about it over the next six weeks.

Join me after the cut to see the results of last week's voting and get a sneak peek at what I'll be doing first.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Swiftsnout theCrotchety

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Swiftsnout theCrotchety originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmacombat-focuseddarkfalldarkfall-onlinefantasyfeaturedmahirimNEWnew-clannew-player-experiencenewborn-on-agonopinionpvepvpswiftsnoutWed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Darkfall blog talks optimizing interaction and offline leveling]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/new-darkfall-blog-talks-optimizing-interaction-and-offline-leveli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/new-darkfall-blog-talks-optimizing-interaction-and-offline-leveli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/new-darkfall-blog-talks-optimizing-interaction-and-offline-leveli/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Darkfall has always had a reputation for being a very hardcore game, but Aventurine has been hard at work trying to improve the in-game experience for all players -- both the well-known PvP audience and the more PvE-focused crowd. In the most recent official blog, Tasos Flambouras calls the team's focus "optimizing interaction," a convenient catch-all term for an overarching goal of making the game world and the interface easier to work with and more meaningful to players.

Flambouras mentions the previously discussed offline skill leveling -- in short, you will pay gold to meditate on a skill to advance it while you're offline. The feature will be limited to a few skills when first implemented, but if it proves not to cause any balance issues, more skills will be added to the roster. There's a lot of information about where the Darkfall development team is placing its emphasis, so take a look at the full article for a peek inside the team members' head.

MassivelyNew Darkfall blog talks optimizing interaction and offline leveling originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessaccessabilityaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedev-blogdeveloperdeveloper-blogdevelopmentfeedbackoffline-advancementoffline-levelingoffline-skillingoptimizing-interactiontasos-flambourasupcoming-featuresupcoming-patchesFri, 12 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Agon awaits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/choose-my-adventure-agon-awaits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/choose-my-adventure-agon-awaits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/choose-my-adventure-agon-awaits/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Join me as I become an action hero for hire, experiencing an online adventure directed by you, the Massively readers. You'll get to choose the game, character creation options, and in-game goals, then sit back and watch how it all plays out (or join me in-game to get in on the fun). Choose My Adventure game arcs run for six weeks, and after the concluding episode, we'll do it again in a new title.

'Tis the season for voting, and I'm primed to do my part to balance the PvP, eliminate missed launch dates, and provide a strong national troll defense. OK, maybe I'm as full of hot air as your average elected official. Last week, though, while some of you were fooling yourselves into thinking the U.S. midterm elections were the most important voting opportunity in your lifetimes, the real action was going on right here in the form of the latest Choose My Adventure poll. Thanks to a monumental zerg by members of the Darkfall forum community, I'll be heading to the lands of Agon for the next six weeks. While Final Fantasy XIV and EVE Online both looked like early frontrunners, nothing could withstand the momentum of 1400 frothing FFA Forumfall fanboys (not even a late-week surge by Global Agenda).

If you're not familiar with Darkfall, join me after the cut for a brief history lesson. If you already know it all, join me after the cut anyway to help pick my character race, game focus, and social status.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Agon awaits

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Agon awaits originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sachoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallcmadarkfallfantasyfeaturedforumfallhellfreezehellfreeze-expansionmassively-metapollspvepvpracesracial-choiceWed, 10 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall highlights dev team tasks, PvP tips contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/darkfall-highlights-dev-team-tasks-pvp-tips-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/darkfall-highlights-dev-team-tasks-pvp-tips-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/darkfall-highlights-dev-team-tasks-pvp-tips-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Are you curious about Darkfall but put off by the fact that the open-world sandbox title focuses on PvP? Fear not, as Aventurine is taking steps to make the world of Agon more accessible to a wider range of players. In addition to the recent PvE-focused Hellfreeze expansion, the Greek development firm is also sponsoring a contest designed to impart veteran PvP wisdom to newer players. If you've got PvP tips you don't mind sharing, submit them in the comment section of the contest blog post, and you could be one of five winners who will receive rare in-game ingots and an exclusive forum title.

In other Darkfall news, Tasos Flambouras has given us a peek behind the curtain of the game's development schedule, courtesy of another blog post that outlines both the team work groups and their respective responsibilities over the next few weeks. Aventurine's staffers are currently split into 11 teams, all working to grow the game in terms of UI updates, server tools, offline skilling, and various other game mechanics. Flambouras' posting is an interesting look at a Scrum-based software development cycle, and you can check it out on the official website.

MassivelyDarkfall highlights dev team tasks, PvP tips contest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sacontentcontestdarkfalldarkfall-onlinedevelopmentin-game-prizesoffline-skillingpvepvppvp-tipsscrumtasostasos-flambourasuiMon, 08 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall prepping offline skill advancement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/darkfall-prepping-offline-skill-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/darkfall-prepping-offline-skill-advancement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/darkfall-prepping-offline-skill-advancement/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tired of the lengthy skill-grind in Darkfall, as well as the perception that it will take newer players many months to be competitive with veterans? Aventurine has heard your concerns and is currently in the process of implementing a form of offline skill advancement for the PvP sandbox MMORPG.

In a recent activity report on the Darkfall forums, developer Tasos Flambouras clarified the plans for offline advancement and was quick to point out that Aventurine doesn't intend for the mechanic to be used as a substitute for skilling up. "We're not looking to upset the game's balance by adding a convenience feature and this is why I mentioned there's a lot of thought and balancing going into this. So on offline skilling, we'll start with a small amount of skills and gradually expand it, and obviously many skills won't be included," he writes.

Offline skilling is nothing new in MMORPGs, as EVE Online has used the system for years, and even themepark games like Age of Conan have gotten into the act. Whether Darkfall implements a similar system or tries something completely new, Massively will be there to bring you the latest.

MassivelyDarkfall prepping offline skill advancement originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall's devs are going out of their way to interact with the community of late. Whether it's in the form of new blog entries or unannounced presences at in-game events, it's clear the Aventurine braintrust is interested in keeping their fingers firmly on the community's pulse. The latest outreach example takes the form of a forum post by Tascha, a developer who shares a company-produced video that was recently recorded at a dueling tournament on the game's EU server. "Several of us, including Aventurine's CEO, where watching from the shadows during the last 1vs1 Tournament on EU organized by Ninogan Swiftstep," Tascha writes.

As for the tourney itself, it was a labor of love for Swiftstep. "When you spend as much time as you do with an MMO, you want to make the most of your time and do cool stuff. For Darkfall, which is all about PvP for me, doing something like this felt natural," he says.

Keep an eye on Darkfall's community events forum for more happenings around the world of Agon, and don't forget to check out the tourney video after the break.

Continue reading Aventurine reaches out to Darkfall community with tournament video

MassivelyAventurine reaches out to Darkfall community with tournament video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkfall news has been flowing fast and furious of late. Whether it's info on the newly minted Hellfreeze expansion and its patches, upcoming character model upgrades, or new lore, it seems like the little Greek MMO that could is gathering a head of steam.

One bit of news that got blown slightly out of proportion was a reported mention of Darkfall 2. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras briefly mentioned Darkfall 2 at a recent event, and some fans took that to mean the company was already working on a sequel to the sandbox MMORPG. In reality, Flambouras was speaking of reusable assets and the fact that the development firm is "keeping the future of Darkfall in mind while we work on this version of the game. It doesn't mean that we're working on a new game."

In a post on the official forums, Flambouras reiterates that Aventurine's devs are not currently making a Darkfall sequel, and even if they were, "it would take years to complete and we would not stop full development of Darkfall 1."

MassivelyAventurine squelches Darkfall 2 rumors, for now originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assetsaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-2darkfall-onlinedarkfall-sequelhellfreezehellfreeze-expansionsequeltasostasos-flambourasTue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall teases character model upgrades and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/darkfall-teases-character-model-upgrades-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/darkfall-teases-character-model-upgrades-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/darkfall-teases-character-model-upgrades-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The devs at Aventurine apparently never sleep, as releasing a major expansion and graphics revamp was the tip of the iceberg as far as what's happening on Darkfall's horizon. The team has generated three separate news items in the last week, all of them pointing towards exciting things in store for the world of Agon.

First up is a design blog posted on the official website. In it, community manager Laenih gives us an inside look at the process of converting a quick design sketch into a finished in-game model. Due to the small size of Aventurine's development team, this process often means that quest designers take up paper and pencil (or the digital equivalent) in order to present modelers with a clear idea of their vision.

Next up are some screenshots previewing Darkfall's new character models. While the world of Agon is often praised for its size, detail, and beauty, the game's character models have thus far lagged a bit behind the current MMORPG visual standard. Not to worry though, as an upgrade is in the works, and you can view photos of some of the new models on Darkfall's Facebook page.

Last but not least are the patch notes from this past week, which address a few niggling issues related to the Hellfreeze expansion. Read all about it on the official boards.

MassivelyDarkfall teases character model upgrades and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonartaventurineaventurine-sadarkfalldarkfall-onlinedesign-blogfacebookgraphics-upgradehellfreezehellfreeze-expansionnew-character-modelspatch-notesFri, 15 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aventurine expanding Darkfall, development team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/aventurine-expanding-darkfall-development-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/aventurine-expanding-darkfall-development-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/aventurine-expanding-darkfall-development-team/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As much as many in the MMO community love to hate on Darkfall, the game soldiers on, and if recent reports coming out of Aventurine are any indication, it's actually growing a little bit. Producer Tasos Flambouras recently posted a lengthy development update on the game's official forums. In it, he discusses the ongoing server issues before moving on to more interesting news bits like the upcoming expansion, lore updates, and tweaks to various smaller aspects of the game's operation such as the online help and download sections of the website.

Aventurine's main task these last few weeks has been polishing the new expansion, and Flambouras has lots to say on the matter. The team has redesigned many of the new dungeons, added new quests, monsters, and rewards, and continued working on terrain improvements. "I have to repeat what a monumental task this has been: the entire world has been repainted, all textures have been redone from scratch, there are no texture seams anymore or stretching," Flambouras writes.

Finally, Aventurine looks to be expanding not just the world of Agon but the team constructing it. In addition to welcoming back a former member of the world-building team, Aventurine has hired two new programmers and one designer, and is currently interviewing more programmers in order to bring its future Darkfall plans to fruition.

MassivelyAventurine expanding Darkfall, development team originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiaventurineaventurine-sadarkfallexpansionlore-updatemonster-updatesproducer-updatepvepvptasostasos-flambourastexture-updatesMon, 20 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall expansion delayed, treasure hunting in the works]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/12/darkfall-expansion-delayed-treasure-hunting-in-the-works/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/12/darkfall-expansion-delayed-treasure-hunting-in-the-works/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/12/darkfall-expansion-delayed-treasure-hunting-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lots of stuff is going on in the world of Agon, and the weekend brought us a double-shot of news updates, one good and one not so good. Aventurine's Tasos Flambouras recently checked in on the official boards to announce a delay on the upcoming expansion. The delay appears to be primarily performance-related. "The expansion is forced back a short while longer, we hope no longer than a couple of weeks, in order to get the performance right, and everything in the expansion working properly and tested thoroughly so there's no repeat of the last setback with the terrain feature," he wrote. Aventurine has also been having trouble with its network service provider, and the post provides a few details along those lines as well.

Now for the good news: treasure hunting is coming to Darkfall, courtesy of the aforementioned expansion. Players will be able to acquire map-reading skills from NPCs, make their own shovels to unearth various objects, and use treasure map hints to determine appropriate dig locations. "We are already planning on expanding this system, which means you can expect additional treasure hunt features being added on top of the one we talked about today," writes Aventurine's Laenih on the Darkfall forums.

MassivelyDarkfall expansion delayed, treasure hunting in the works originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Denizens of Darkfall's European shard have been subjected to a rough ride of late, and not just from the title's relentless PvP action. Due to a Storage Area Network hardware failure at Aventurine's third-party hosting center, players have seen high amounts of latency over the last week.

The bad news is that Aventurine doesn't have a specific timetable for correcting the problem. The good news is that the company is currently working on it, as well as prepping for future hardware upgrades. "Performance is an extremely serious issue with us and we're constantly working on improvements. Apart from dealing with this specific issue, we are currently working on major performance upgrades for both servers to be added during the upcoming expansion," says Darkfall's Tasos Flambouras on the game's official forums.

MassivelyDarkfall EU server latency issues to be corrected originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aventurineaventurine-sadarkfalleu-servereuropean-serverhardware-upgradelaglatencyperformance-issuesserver-lagserver-upgradetasostasos-flambourasMon, 30 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall community Q&A hints at massive game expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/darkfall-community-qanda-hints-at-massive-game-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/darkfall-community-qanda-hints-at-massive-game-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/darkfall-community-qanda-hints-at-massive-game-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Its been quite awhile since Aventurine first sat down for a community-based question and answer session with noted Darkfall blogger Paragus. Today, he brings us part two of the lengthy interview, which features a whopping 57 questions generated by Darkfall players. As you would expect, some of the answers are short and fluffy, but many are quite informative as to the future of the PvP sandbox title.

Stashed away inside the deluge of queries are a few gems about upcoming content, including mention of the cryptically titled Darkfall 2010 project. "[It] comes after the next expansion and is a much bigger proposition. Darkfall 2010 is our internal code name for this project. Our intent is to have it complete within the year, but we can't rule out that it will take longer than that. We've been working on this for quite a while, it's parallel development to Darkfall and almost as big a project as making a new game," Aventurine says.

Aside from that teaser, there is also talk of prestige classes, performance improvements, and the long-awaited four-legged running feature for the mahirim race. Sadly, it seems as if this particular fan wish isn't going to be granted anytime soon, despite the assets already existing in the live game. "Our main problem is that it is an unbalancing factor," says Aventurine.

MassivelyDarkfall community Q&A hints at massive game expansion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurineaventurine-sacommunity-questionsdarkfalldarkfall-2010interviewparaguspvepvpSandboxtasostasos-flambourasWed, 04 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Terms of endurement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/the-daily-grind-terms-of-endurement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/the-daily-grind-terms-of-endurement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/the-daily-grind-terms-of-endurement/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gankers!

Kind of an unpleasant word isn't it? Given the fact that I re-upped my Darkfall subscription last week, it's one that I'm intimately familiar with on account of the PvP-centric title's target audience. Heck, even the game's deathblow ability isn't called deathblow but rather "gank."

Despite the unfortunate red-equals-dead mentality that seems hardwired into the psyche of your average PvPer, Aventurine's game manages to conjure a few pleasant memories of both Ultima Online and Morrowind, which is why I keep going back to it in spurts every few months and enduring the relentless PvP. I put up with the ganking and the crazy skill-grind (even though the devs are taking steps to mitigate it, it is still there) because there's something about the world of Agon that appeals to me on a basic level. I don't know if it's the pseudo-sandbox trappings, the fact that I can explore a varied landmass for hours without running into other players (let alone themepark mobs spaced six inches apart), or some other unquantifiable allure.

What about you, Massively folk? Do you put up with PvP (or any other unwanted mechanics) because something about a game speaks to you? Which games and which mechanics?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Terms of endurement originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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